Washta, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washta, Iowa
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Location of Washta, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Cherokee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2) |
| • Land | 1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,148 ft (350 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 209 |
| • Density | 206.93/sq mi (79.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
51061
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| Area code(s) | 712 |
| FIPS code | 19-82380 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0462723 |
Washta is a small city located in Cherokee County, Iowa, United States. In 2020, about 209 people lived there. Washta is famous for being "The Coldest Spot in Iowa"! On January 12, 1912, it got super cold, reaching -47°F (-44°C).
The name "Washta" has an interesting story from 1868. A man named Whisman had a farm that became a stop for mail and goods traveling between towns. He was asked to be the town's first postmaster. When asked what the town's name would be, he remembered meeting two Native Americans. They had looked at his gun and said, Wash-tay, Wash-tay, which meant "good." Whisman changed the pronunciation a little and decided to call the town Washta.
Where is Washta Located?
Washta is found at coordinates 42.575896 degrees North and -95.718051 degrees West. It is close to the Little Sioux River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 1.04 square miles (2.69 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
How Many People Live in Washta?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 431 | — | |
| 1910 | 410 | −4.9% | |
| 1920 | 508 | 23.9% | |
| 1930 | 448 | −11.8% | |
| 1940 | 442 | −1.3% | |
| 1950 | 403 | −8.8% | |
| 1960 | 310 | −23.1% | |
| 1970 | 319 | 2.9% | |
| 1980 | 320 | 0.3% | |
| 1990 | 284 | −11.2% | |
| 2000 | 282 | −0.7% | |
| 2010 | 248 | −12.1% | |
| 2020 | 209 | −15.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Washta has changed over the years. In 1900, there were 431 people. By 2020, the population was 209 people.
In 2020, there were 97 households in Washta. Most of the people living in Washta were White. A small percentage were from other racial backgrounds or from two or more races. About half of the people living in Washta were male and half were female. The average age of people in Washta was about 52 years old.
Schools in Washta
The River Valley Community School District runs the public schools that serve the Washta community. This school district was formed on July 1, 1996. It was created when two other school districts, the Eastwood Community School District and the Willow Community School District, joined together.
See also
In Spanish: Washta (Iowa) para niños
